While at the BIO conference last week, I made a connection between the drivers for a bio-based society and drivers of food prices. For those who believe that biofuels are the sole drivers of increased food prices I argue that, from what I've seen, we certainly don’t use enough biofuels yet to have made such an impact.

It is probable that recent jumps in food prices are due to a combination of several factors, not the least of which is the gigantic rise in fuel prices we’ve seen this year. This has been impacted also by increasing demand in China, India and Russia for fuels, a driver for developing additional non-petroleum based fuel sources.

Also notable is that increased demand in eastern countries for meat is partly to blame for elevations in corn prices as it generates a high demand and competition for corn-based feeds.

As for the rice shortage and elevated costs, there are other environmental or economic factors involved, since rice isn't used to produce biofuels at the present time.